Rotterdam

Delta works

The Delta Works consist of a range of big works in coastal defence of which the Oosterschelde surge barrier is the most impressive.

Water theme park at the Oosterschelde storm surge barrier.

Windmills of Kinderdijk, where 19 windmills still help to control the water level. Windmill number 2 is open to the public €3, allowing you to see the inner workings. Arriva bus 90 from bus and metro station Zuidplein will get you there in 50 minutes. Kinderdijk is also accessible by boat (http://www.rebus-info.nl/) from the city centre near Erasmus bridge.

Visit the medieval fortified town of Brielle. The center is a nice ensemble of old houses and churches, enclosed by the original earthen defensive walls. There are some museums and the Roman Catholic shrine of the Martyrs of Gorcum. Walking around town and fortifications is a treat. You can easily spend the day in Brielle. Take bus 103 at the Spijkenisse Centrum Metro station. All in all the ride is 70 minutes from Rotterdam.

Go to the other cities of the Randstad - eg The Hague is only half an hour by train, Utrecht is around 45 mins by train, Amsterdam about an hour.

If you do not have a car, the hub for leaving the city will allmost invariably be Centraal Station from where trains leave in all directions at short intervals so you can generally drop in and catch the next train to your destination. Most regional and longer distance buses leave here too, with the exception of most buses to southerly destinations and the province of Zeeland that leave from Zuidplein Metrostation. Contrary to trains bustimes should be checked in advance as they can sometimes be far and between.

Nearby destinations like Schiedam or even Delft can also be reached by bike if you fancy a somewhat longer ride. Bike routes and directions are well marked and available in abundance. A good idea for a sunny day! Schiedam can be reached by metro in 15 minutes too.

nearby municipalities

Historic center of Schiedam including the 6 tallest windmills of the world. In the historic center you can also find the attractive Stedelijk Museum (http://www.stedelijkmuseu...) with nice modern art exhibitions. Easily reached by bicycle, or take the train from Rotterdam Centraal Station to Schiedam Centrum, or metro A, B or C line to Schiedam Centrum station, or tramlines 21 or 23, Broersvest or Koemarkt stop.

Historic town of Delft, a 15 min. trainride from Rotterdam Centraal Station. Very historic and scenic, but a little bit touristy.

Historic Town of Dordrecht, a 20 min. trainride, or even better, take the Waterbus see Get around. A magnificent historic town with little tourism and an ecellent old art museum (http://www.dordrechtsmuse...).

Visit the small picture postcard town of Gouda and see the magnificent stained glass windows in St. Johns church, an UNESCO monument (http://nl.wikipedia.org/w...). Also 20 minutes by train.

There is a small hill at Carnisselande, near the final stop of Tram route 25. It's only 30 feet high but if you climb to the top it gives you breathtaking views of the entire city of Rotterdam, and the countryside to the South of it